A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5pm.
GROWING FORWARD 2 – SPECIAL INTAKE FUNDING FOR PORCINE EPIDEMIC DIARRHEA
The first case of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) was confirmed in Ontario on Jan. 23 of this year. The disease is present in more than 20 U.S. states, and has been in Europe and Asia for many years.
The disease is not a food safety or human health concern.
Although it does not affect other animals, PED is highly contagious among pigs. The disease is almost always fatal to piglets. Older animals can, and do, recover.
As of Feb. 18, 2014, Ontario had 20 cases on swine farms. Sampling has also confirmed the presence of the virus at trucking yards, assembly yards, and processing plants.
On Feb. 14, PED virus was confirmed at one Manitoba farm and one Prince Edward Island farm.
Ontario sampling recently detected PED genetic material in swine feed.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as regulator for animal feed, announced on Feb. 18, that they are conducting further testing to determine if feed may be a contributing factor in the current PED virus situation.
Producers are encouraged to discuss feed options with their veterinarian and their feed company.
Given the hardy, virulent nature of PED, and the experience in the U.S., it is not unexpected to find it present in various locations.
To mitigate the spread of this disease, it is critical that all in the pork industry – producers, truckers, suppliers, abattoirs, assembly facilities and rendering service providers – work together and increase vigilance with biosecurity measures.
On-farm biosecurity can keep PED out of barns. Producers should also contact their veterinarian immediately if animals show any signs of illness.
For more information on biosecurity, visit http://bit.ly/1erbSyo.
The federal and provincial governments created a special biosecurity intake under Growing Forward 2 (GF2) specifically for businesses in, and related to, the swine industry in order to address challenges related to PED.
This will give producers, truckers, abattoirs, assembly facilities, and rendering service providers access to the funds to enhance their biosecurity investments.
This special intake of GF2 opened on Feb. 3. For more information visit http://bit.ly/1bX06zo.
Ontario has also committed $2 million to Ontario Pork to support industry-wide enhancements to biosecurity across the province – such as assembly yard transfer chutes and ongoing sanitation of trailers.
SPECIES AT RISK FARM INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) offers substantial cost-share funding towards the establishment of selected Best Management Practices (BMP).
The range of possible activities applies to croplands, grasslands, riparian areas, wetlands, or even woodlands.
Questions can be directed to programreview@ontariosoilcrop.org or 519-826-4214.
COMING EVENTS:
March 5 – Grower Pesticide Course, OMAF and MRA Boardroom, Elora. To register, call the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573 or visit www.opep.ca or email opep@opep.ca.
